Kinston residents will soon have an opportunity to learn more about the government of their city, thanks to a new citizen academy. 

The inaugural “Kinston 101” course will begin in February and will allow participants to learn about the structure and function of the city government, as well as meet and engage with the heads of each city department.

Sarah Arney, Community Development Planner with the City of Kinston, has taken charge of organizing the course since she was hired earlier this year. Arney said the nine week course aims to fulfill part of the city’s overall strategic plan by improving communication with citizens and allowing greater citizen involvement. 

“It can be hard for citizens to know who to go to for problems, who is in charge of which aspect of government,” Arney said. 

Each week, students of the citizen academy will learn about a different aspect of the city government. Participants will get to visit the Kinston Police Department, the Department of Fire and Rescue, Parks and Recreation, Public Services and more. They will also get the chance to learn more about the city budget process and all the decisions that go into making those decisions. 

“We want citizens to feel comfortable and empowered reaching out to city staff and asking for what they need while following the proper channels,” Arney said. 

City Manager Tony Sears will be part of the first session on Feb. 6, 2020, and he said he is very pleased with the work Arney has done to organize “Kinston 101,” and he hopes it will have a positive impact on the city. 

“It will help citizens better understand how their government works, and some of the difficult steps that go into making decisions for the city,” Sears said. 

Those who are interested in participating in “Kinston 101” are encouraged to apply for the free course by Nov. 11 by submitting an application online, in person, by mail, or by email. 

Those who apply are asked to commit to attending at least eight out of nine sessions, which will be held on Thursday nights or Saturday mornings. Each two and a half or three hour session will focus on a different area of city government and will include light refreshments and transportation from City Hall to any other sites that will be visited. 

Citizens of all ages are encouraged to apply, and city residence is not required, though preference will be given to applicants who live inside the city or its extraterritorial jurisdiction. 

Arney said she hopes people from all walks of life will apply to take part, and encourages anyone who wants to have a better knowledge of city government to apply. 

Visit the Kinston 101 website here for more information and to apply online, or contact Sarah Arney by phone at 252-939-3271 or by email at sarah.arney@ci.kinston.nc.us.

The deadline for applications is Nov. 11, and selected participants will be notified by mid-December.